The China Ministry of Culture officially banned Battlefield 4 in the country due to “cultural encroachment.”
Cultural encroachment happens when another country’s values create strong influence on the culture of the other.
For those not familiar with Battlefield 4, it is a first-person shooter video game developed by EA Digital Illusions CE (DICE) and published by Electronic Arts (EA). It was already released in other countries including North America, Australia, Europe, and Japan as the latest. Players can use weapons with different firing modes and has three different endings depending on the selected final mission. Players can choose which organization they want to be affiliated: U.S., China, and Russia.
According to China.com, the game has been decided not allowed in the country because of the setting of the game. It features a map called “Siege of Shanghai” where the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will fight against the U.S Marine Corps.
Though the Ministry told the Chinese site that the game “encompasses elements that affect national security,” the ban is majority based on “cultural encroachment.” The country has been concerned about it because of the idea that Western countries may use media and entertainment to weaken the Chinese culture.
In a press release, translated by Eric Jou of Kotaku.com, the Ministry of Culture said, “The content of DICE's game slanders the good image of the People's Liberation Army. The scenario of [Admiral] Zhang and his renegade general is particularly wrong; it is hard for many Chinese players to accept.”
China has also banned sale of Command & Conquer: Generals for the same reasons.
EA has not return on requests for comments yet.
Battlefield 3, the game before the new version, was also banned in Iran because the scene of the warfare included Tehran, Iran’s capital.
